Posts Tagged: "Thomas Merton"

Saving Quotes

Brian Dolleman - July 9, 2016 - Life With God, Uncategorized

* pictured above: the town of Assisi, Italy —July 2013

I save quotes. In my phone. On my computer. Folders of them. Ever-growing, constantly adding.

And there are times when I need them. When all the world seems to be busting apart at the seams, all hell breaking loose. When my peace has run away like a dog terrified of the fireworks on the 4th of July.

I save quotes. But sometimes they save me.

I’d love to share some… saving quotes.

The Saint Francis Prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is… Read More

Are We Big Enough For Questions? Do We Remain Capable Of Conversation?

Brian Dolleman - June 1, 2016 - Life With God, Uncategorized

*picture above: playing dominoes with my friend (and partner for the game) Anthony

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A few weeks ago, I went to a birthday party for my friend Anthony. Somehow I got the time mixed up (probably because I didn’t ask the right questions ahead of time) and arrived a good hour early to the party. There were a few other family members who had arrived early too – so Anthony suggested we sit down and play a game of dominoes.

Anthony and I were partners – we played against Andy and LaVelle. I sat down and pretended like I knew what I was doing. But here’s the thing: I have never played dominoes in my life. I had zero knowledge of the rules. I sat and pretended, copied, and stumbled my way through two games.

And I made my team lose. Why? Because I didn’t ask questions.

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I’ve talked with a friend before about longing for safe places where anything can be… Read More

Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy

Brian Dolleman - April 11, 2016 - Life With God, Uncategorized

*photo above: Dan Bryan brought chicks to our 5pm service last night. He has too many and was sharing them.

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One of the deep impressions Father Greg Boyle has made on me is the idea of delighting in whoever is in front of me – without agenda, not seeing them as a project or charity case or student… but to simply delight in them, as they are, right now.

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I love this thought on hospitality from Zack Eswine…

We are capable of welcoming other human beings just as they are, even when they believe or say, look or smell, other than we want them to. Hospitality graciously transitions us from consuming people to… Read More

We’re The Servers, Not The Saviors.

Brian Dolleman - February 11, 2014 - Uncategorized

Did you know there are a number of individuals around the world who right now claim to be Jesus Christ?

Here’s a short list of the “Top Men With A Messiah Complex” from the International Business Times…

Álvaro Theiss , aka “Inri Cristo” from Brazil

Alan John Miller, aka “Jesus Christ of Nazareth” (and his partner Mary Luck, AKA “Mary Magdeline” from Australia… Read More

Catholics Aren’t Christian

Brian Dolleman - November 21, 2013 - Life With God, Popular, Uncategorized

Growing up in Pentecostal church, I picked up on this idea: Catholics aren’t Christians. The typical charges against them were things like praying to Mary, worshiping the Pope, praying to the saints, and elevating the teachings of saints and church leaders to the same level as Scripture. They also had cool necklaces – and I wanted to wear one.

And then there were the wild accusations from the end-times obsessed folks, claiming the current Pope is most definitely, 100% for sure, obviously THE Antichrist (these guys are still doing this too).

I was smart enough to detect the crazy on the doomsday prophets, but the underlying message “Catholics aren’t Christians” stuck with me. When you hear something enough times, you just begin to believe it.

So I believed Catholics aren’t Christians… Read More